International Relations BA Degree

Transcription

1 International Relations BA Degree Department of Political Science California State University, Chico Chico, California Professor James Jacob, Coordinator International Relations Program POLSonBay:Office:Program Handouts 15-16: International Relations Handout Revised 10/15 1

2 California State University, Chico Department of Political Science Chico, California The Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations The IR program is a major asset, not only for the Political Science Department, but for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the University at large. Over the years, the program has earned a solid reputation by offering attractive curriculum and succeeding in attracting accomplished and committed students --External Program Review of the International Relations Major, 2007 The International Relations major at CSU, Chico emphasizes a varied interest in politics, history, geography, languages, economics, and culture (art, music, and literature). The major is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level administrative position in government, business, or the non-profit sector. Many International Relations majors combine the degree with other majors and minors. Typically, these are foreign languages and area studies, although a minor in International Business is becoming increasingly popular as a related skill. International Relations majors who are particularly successful go to graduate school or law school and may pursue a teaching career, or one in government work involving state or national government. Currently six of our majors are from International Relations and other majors in the department are serving as staff members for Members.of the U.S. House of Representatives. An internship in Washington, D.C. is highly recommended, ideally in the semester following completion of academic course work. International Relations majors at CSU, Chico are s t r o n g l y encouraged to s t u d y a b r o a d f o r e i t h e r a semester or year. CSU, Chico has one of the highest rates of participation in Study Abroad of any institution of our kind in the United States. Other students may elect to study for a year at another university in the United States through the national Student Exchange Program. Requirements for the B.A. in International Relations 1. Total number of units required for the B.A. in International Relations: 124 units 2. General Education Requirements: 48 units. See General Education Requirements in the University Catalogue and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. 3. Minimum number of units required for the International Relations major: 36 units 4. Course Requirements for the Major: units The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. 2 courses required: Core Program for the B.A. in International Relations: units POLS 341 International Relations (Take first in the major) 3.0 FS POLS 331 Introduction to Political Inquiry 3.0 FS(WP) (Prerequisites: POLS 341) 2

3 1 course selected: ECON 102 Principles of Macro Analysis 3.0 FS or the following may be substituted: ECON 103 Principles of Micro Analysis 3.0 FS 1 course selected: POLS 413 Political Development 3.0 S POLS 417 Politics of Post-Industrial Societies 3.0 FS 1 course required: POLS 434 Origins of Western Political Thought 3.0 FS 1 course required (Senior Seminar): POLS 441 International Politics: Theory & Concepts 3.0 FS(WP) (Prerequisites: POLS 341: ENGL 001/130 or its equivalent with a grade of C- or better) 2-3 units selected from POLS 340A Model United Nations 3.0 F POLS 340B Model United Nations 3.0 S POLS 391E Simulations: International Relations 1.0 FS POLS 398 Special Topics 1.0 FS POLS 399 Special Topics 1.0 FS INST 301 International Forum (may be taken twice) 1.0 FS OTHER Based on advisor approval FS 9 upper division elective units selected from these regularly offered International Relations courses: POLS 302 Politics of the Developing World 3.0 FS *NW POLS 340A Model United Nations 3.0 F POLS 340B Model United Nations 3.0 S (note 340A and 340B can only fulfil one requirement) POLS 344 U.S. Foreign Policy 3.0 FS POLS 415D Politics of China 3.0 SP POLS 442 International Organizations of NGO s 3.0 FA POLS 446A International Relations of the Middle East 3.0 F POLS 446D International Relations of the Pacific Basin 3.0 SP (this course is also offered as INST 446D & POLS 346) POLS 448 Politics of Terrorism 3.0 SP POLS 449 Pro-seminar in International Relations 3.0 INQ POLS 489B Internship in International FS POLS 498 Special Topics in International Relations FS 3

4 Requirement: 4-16 units Two years of a foreign language or the equivalent of the fourth semester of a college-level program (e.g., Spanish 202). units may be waived with demonstrated proficiency in a language accepted by the International Relations coordinator and the Chair of the Foreign s department. Students whose native language is not English may declare English as their foreign language upon successful completion of English 130, Academic Writing, or its equivalent. Area of Concentration: 9 units 9 units selected at the 300 level of above: Courses selected in consultation with and approval by the International Relations adviser. The Area of Concentration reflects our commitment to the interdisciplinary nature of international relations as a subject, and the nature of the increasingly globalizing world in which we live. The Area of Concentration requirement may be satisfied in a number of ways. Increasingly, our majors satisfy these twelve units by declaring a second major, or a minor in another academic discipline. In all cases, the twelve units of the Area of Concentration must be at the 300 level or above. These majors or minors are often in foreign languages or area studies such as Latin American Studies (LAST) or Asian American Studies (AAST). Others focus their AOC on geographical areas of concentration including: Africa, Asia, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Middle East, or Pacific Rim. Conceptual Areas of concentration might include: development, the environment and sustainability, poverty and inequality, or war and peace, among others. The Area of Concentration is a flexible element of the International Relations major. You may propose an area of concentration from among those listed above or another AOC of your own in consultation with the International Relations advisor. Course Requirements for the Minor in International Relations: 20 units The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for the minor. 2 courses required: POLS 341 POLS 344 International Relations U.S. Foreign Policy 14 units selected from among: Any International Relations upper division courses. These courses must be approved by the International Relations Advisor. See the International Relations Coordinator for the Minor Advising. Please contact your IR Coordinator in The Department of Political Science California State University, Chico, Chico, CA Professor Jacob s office: Butte jjacob@csuchico.edu 4

5 International Relations Major Student profile: The average GPA for entering students in International Relations is 2.8, higher than the university average. The major attracts students who have been successful in their high school and community college courses. International Relations majors continue this success at CSU, Chico because the major emphasizes a varied interest in politics, history, geography, languages, economics, and culture (art, music, and literature). Many International Relations majors combine the degree with other majors and minors. Typically, these are foreign languages and area studies, although a minor in International Business is becoming increasingly popular as a related skill. T h e mo s t commo n a rea s t udies courses ( and ma j o rs/mi n o rs) a r e i n L a t i n A merican S t udies ( L A ST) a n d A s i an S t udies ( A A S T ). But you may focus other areas of your choosing if sufficient 300+ level courses are available. The International Relations major strongly supports some of the most popular programs available to Chico State students: Study Abroad, and the National Collegiate Model United Nations conference. In New York. This is truly an international academic competition, and is the largest and oldest student academic competition of its kind in the world. Last year it attracted more than three thousand students to New York City for the week-long competition. Chico State s student delegation was one of a handful from schools throughout the world to win both an Outstanding Delegation award as well as an Outstanding Research Paper Award last year. Both of these study experiences Study Abroad and the National Model United Nations are examples of the richness of the major and the range of learning experiences we offer to our students. Career Opportunities After Graduation: The International Relations major is designed to prepare students for a diverse range of careers. It should first be noted that the field of International Relations is recognized nationwide as a rigorous field of study, and it opens students to a variety of career and life choices. First, the major is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in government, business, or the non-profit sector. Many of our students elect to go on to graduate school or law school. Others seek careers in international business, perhaps combining the INTR major with a minor in either International Economics or International Business. International Relations provides students with a diverse liberal arts education that encourages students to study and think about the world around them in new and diverse ways. International Relations addresses some of the university's essential strategic goals which include preparing our students to live and participate in an increasingly globalizing world. Our students go on to do a wide variety of things. To give some recent examples, we have two graduates who are now Congressional Staffers to Congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives. Others are on the Staff of the Speaker of the California State Assembly. Another is studying for his masters in International Development at Columbia University. Many of our graduates go on to study law, some specializing in the study of international law. Most recently, one of our majors informed me she would be working for a Non-Governmental Organization caring for orphans in Russia. A recent graduate student completed an internship with the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands. Many of our students decide to enter graduate school, including the Masters Program we offer in the Department of Political Science here at CSU, Chico. Increasingly, students are re-discovering the Peace Corps and several are serving overseas today. Others recognize the importance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO s) 5

6 overseas. My experience has been that if a student is uncertain of his or her future goals, the Peace Corps (as one example) will help them discover what they really want to do in life. A word to you as a prospective incoming student: I want to welcome you to Chico State, and to thank you for your interest in International Relations as a major. We live in a rapidly changing world and International Relations gives you a front row seat to some of the most important events of our age. In our courses you will combine the study of history and theory with an ongoing analysis of international current events. Our major seeks to give you a combination of interests and tools that will make you an informed citizen in an increasingly diverse and globalizing world. Finally, I want to speak to you as an entering college student about the challenges and obligations that await you. You will find very early on that college life, and our academic demands, are probably very different than those you experienced in high school. Our semesters begin with a bang and you need to be prepared to succeed from the beginning. This requires a degree of self-discipline especially if you are living away from home for the first time. You need to work hard and make academics your first priority. Your record from your first semester at Chico State will affect your future career choices. Your grade point average is important beginning with your first semester of college. By the time you are a senior you may have a better idea of your career goals and interests. All too often we see students whose range of choices is limited later by poor decisions and study habits in the first semesters in college. This is why you need to develop effective study habits and a commitment to success from the very beginning. Let me close by welcoming you again to International Relations, and wish you every success in your undergraduate years. I am always here to help and advise you concerning any academic or personal problem you would like to discuss. Cordially, James E. Jacob, Ph.D. Professor Coordinator and Advisor, International Relations Program Former Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences 6

7 International Relations Four-Year Plan 7 First Semester (16 units) ECON 102 or 103 POLS 155 or HIST 130 First Semester (16 units) First Semester (16 units) POLS 417 or POLS 413 POLS 342 One-unit IR elective First Semester (15 units) Year one (32 units) Year Two (32 units) Year Three (32 units) Year Four (30 units) Second Semester (16 units) POLS 155 or HIST 130 Second Semester (16 units) POLS 341 Second Semester (16 units) One-unit IR elective Second Semester (15 units) POLS 441 It is crucial that each student meet early with the International Relations Adviser. Because the Schedule of Classes is produced on a year-to-year basis, specific courses cannot be determined more than a year ahead of time. However, the Adviser can plan a four-year program with the student, based on the outline and knowledge of anticipated course offerings. The first three semesters should be taken as outlined above. The specific course distribution for the remaining semesters will vary depending on each student s individual program (Study Abroad, second major, minor, etc.). Again, meet with the International Relations Adviser early. Study Abroad programs usually can be accommodated to fit this plan to enable the student to graduate in four years while also spending a semester or year abroad. 7